Highlights

If I had a good bank balance I would love to produce something like D3

'Innocence is missing in the content that is offered these days'

'It is a cheat way to get the numbers right by using sex, lust, and drugs as they sell easily as compared to innocence'

Shantanu Maheshwari, of
Dil Dostii Dance(D3) fame, has a grouse against today's television shows, especially youth-based television. These shows, he believes, have nothing to offer the youth.

"It is a very frivolous content according to me. Most of the younger audience has shifted to OTT platforms or West-based shows. A lot of West influence is happening but I really feel that we need to stick to our culture and roots and still make good shows. May be it will take time and not fetch good numbers initially but when I see my experience of
D3, I think it is worth doing such shows. If I had a good bank balance I would love to produce something like
D3.”

“I feel innocence is missing in the content that is offered these days. I feel it is a cheat way to get the numbers right by using sex, lust, drugs as they sell easily as compared to innocence because it takes time to get use to it because you have to watch the episodes to understand it. When you connect with that deeper feeling it stays for a longer time,” he said.

Watch: Shantanu Maheshwari on reality shows and why he thinks TV content is often frivolous

07:51

The dancer-actor, who has participated in multiple reality shows, believes that while reality shows are getting a lot of participants, people are not viewing them in the right way. The aim should be to learn the craft, not win title and fame.

“Many people participate in reality shows for gaining fame. I think reality shows should be seen as an opportunity of getting better exposure into acting, singing and dancing world,” he told
Mirror in a one-on-one chat. He also laid the onus of understanding that on the parents. "Parents play an important role in motivating their kids to learn new skills on the show rather than focus on winning it,” he said.

Shantanu will be sharing the stage with Sonali Bendre for the third season of
India's Best Dramebaaz airing later this month. He is excited as they go back a long way. “When I was eight-years-old I performed on a dance show which Sonali Bendre was hosting and judging back then. I remember being so excited about it as she was a big childhood favourite of mine. Then I performed when I was 17 or 18 on a reality show she was judging and now again at 27 I have come in front of her, so I am very excited to be sharing the screen with her after so many years, and this time I won't be participating in it, but hosting it."

Watch: Shantanu Maheshwari on Mumbai Rains

01:20

For Shantanu, every project comes with its own set of challenges but presenting India on international platform has been the most challenging task.

Shantanu was a part of
Desi Hoppers, a hip-hop dance crew from Mumbai that won the World of Dance Championships in Los Angeles. The crew created history by being the first Indian dance team representing the country in World of Dance (WOD) and later emerging as winners.

“Though many may think that getting a great opportunity is a big thing but I believe that when you get an opportunity it is best to give your 100 percent and make a mark. I felt that while doing
Desi Hoppers it was important to make people understand that India is rich and talented. We don’t have proper training and that is the only reason that we are lacking behind but it’s improving and we are trying our level best to improve and match international standards. This has been a country with struggles actually.”

Usually a shy and a private person, Shantanu said that while he was happy to get to work with the best in the industry, it hasn't been a smooth ride for him. “I think being honest and myself has really helped to survive in this industry because it is very easy to drift away but I am very glad that people made sure that I am grounded and I try to be the same as I am. People are good in the industry but many are there to just snatch away your glory and use you and move on;
apna kaam banta, bahad main jaye janta (Get your own work done, let the rest go to Hell) you have those kind of people too.”

Quick-fire questions with Shantanu MaheshwariDaily soap lead or Dance Reality Show Judge: Maybe both if they are interesting, dates can be managed
One thing that annoys you the most: Being fake; hypocrisy
Three qualities that you cherish in other people: Good sense of humour, smart and understanding

If you wrote a dance book, what would you title it: Learning never ends
Describe your personal style: White T-shirt and Denims
Your work philosophy: Give your 100 percent in whatever you are doing, whether for money or creativity but give your 100 percent in whatever you are doing
If you could turn back time, one thing you would like to change: My age

What is that something that you need to stop doing: I think a lot, I need to stop it
What have you always wanted to do but never done: Learn martial arts

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